This is the 46th blog of the paracord blog series. You can check the other blogs I wrote from here – https://beadshub.co/blogs-paracord/

Author: Barry LeClair
Occupation: Paracord Specialist
Location: Suburban Indiana

Why Paracord Zipper Pulls Are Worth Making

Paracord zipper pulls are one of the simplest yet most practical DIY accessories you can make. Whether it’s for a backpack, jacket, duffle bag, or survival kit, a paracord zipper pull not only makes zipping easier (especially with gloves 🧤) but also doubles as a quick source of cordage in emergencies. With just a few inches of cord and five minutes of your time, you’ll have something both useful and durable.

Materials You’ll Need

• 1 piece of paracord (about 12–18 inches depending on the design)

• Scissors or a sharp knife

• A lighter (for sealing ends — or try alternative sealing methods from my other blog)

• Optional: a paracord brass bead (for added weight and style) → check them here

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Cut and Prep Your Cord ✂️

Cut a piece of paracord around 12–18 inches. If you’re planning to add a bead, make sure it fits snugly on your cord (most beads have 6mm holes which work perfectly for standard 550 paracord).

Step 2: Thread the Cord Through the Zipper

Fold your paracord in half and push the loop through the zipper tab. Pull the ends through the loop to secure it with a simple lark’s head knot.

Step 3: Add a Knot or Bead

At this point, you can:

• Tie a simple overhand knot at the end

• Add a paracord brass bead before tying the knot (this gives weight and a nice grip)

Step 4: Seal the Ends 🔥

Use a lighter to carefully melt and flatten the ends so they won’t fray. If you want a cleaner finish, you can use glue, heat-shrink tubing, or stitching (check my previous blog on sealing without a lighter).

And that’s it — a rugged zipper pull done in just minutes!

Variations to Try

• Two-tone pull: Use two colors of paracord for contrast.

• Cobra knot pull: Make a short cobra weave for a chunkier grip.

• Bead accent pull: Slide one or two beads in for style and better grip.

• Glow-in-the-dark cord: Great for camping gear so you can find zippers at night 🌙.

Why This DIY Beats Store-Bought

Most store-bought zipper pulls are thin nylon or plastic that break under stress. Paracord is rated for hundreds of pounds of tensile strength, so even a short length can come in handy for gear repairs, tying things together, or even an emergency shoelace.

A Quick Survival Angle ⛺

I once replaced a broken tent zipper pull in the middle of a camping trip. That tiny paracord fix saved me from fumbling with cold hands every morning. Moments like that prove the value of carrying even small paracord projects.

Product Tie-In: Why Add Brass Beads?

Adding a bead is optional, but it improves both functionality and style:

• Better grip when wearing gloves

• Extra weight makes zippers easier to grab

• Custom look (skull, helmet, or minimalist designs)

You can explore brass bead designs here: https://beadshub.co/

Additional Resources

• For knot tutorials: Animated Knots

• For paracord community projects: Instructables Paracord Section

Both links are great references if you want to expand beyond zipper pulls into more complex weaves.

Final Thoughts

Making a paracord zipper pull takes less than five minutes, but it adds daily convenience and emergency readiness to your gear. Plus, it’s a perfect project to practice knots and experiment with beads. Once you’ve made one, you’ll probably start adding them to every zipper you own.

👉 Got questions about this tutorial? Drop them in the comments below, and I’ll be happy to answer. Also, let me know what you’d like to learn about knives in next week’s blog — I always enjoy tailoring these posts to what matters most to you.